x

Rooney confirms he wants Derby manager job full-time

Wayne Rooney has made it clear that he wants to take over as Derby County manager on a permanent basis following Philipp Cocu’s sacking, with the England icon having been installed as caretaker boss.

The Rams sit bottom of the Championship with six points from 11 matches so far this season, with only one win picked up throughout that run leading to Cocu’s dismissal.

Skipper Rooney has been placed in temporary charge, adding additional responsibility to his roles as both player and coach, and the 35-year-old has left the club in no doubt as to whether he could see himself in the dugout full-time.

“I wouldn’t be an ambitious person if I sat here and said I didn’t want the job,” Rooney told a press conference. “We all come into this game to play football and then you have a decision to make: do you want to go into coaching or management?

“I’ve made it quite clear over the last few years that my ambition is to go into management, especially when you see the likes of Steven Gerrard (Rangers), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Scott Parker (Fulham) all getting good jobs and doing really well at it.

“We have to get the next two or three games out the way first, but if they go well it puts me in a better position to put our names forward for that role.”

Having played under one of football’s most decorated managers in history in Sir Alex Ferguson, Rooney would have no shortage of influence to call upon if he was to be offered the Pride Park hotseat.

“I have worked with some very good managers and possibly the greatest of all time,” he added. “I am not going to say I am going to do it like Sir Alex Ferguson. You have to work with the players you have got and you have to manage players correctly.

“There is an opportunity to show the different ideas that you have. But there are things you can take from other managers.”

Rooney will be joined by fellow coaches Shay Given, Justin Walker and Liam Rosenior as the Rams prepare for Bristol City this weekend and the latter is convinced his colleague can go on to be a top trainer.

“It’s one thing wanting the job, it’s another thing are you the right man for the job and that depends on how the owners see the club moving forward,” former full-back Rosenior said.

“Wayne has unbelievable qualities. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be an exceptional manager.”

Hot this week

Ruben Amorim’s Tactical Shift Could Earn Manchester United £24 Million

Ruben Amorim’s bold decision to deploy a striker-less formation...

Gov. Ododo Pledges Road Rehabilitation and More Development Projects in Kogi Community

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaGovernor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi...

Issa- Onilu’s digital drive in NOA

By Paul OdenyiAs Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu marks two years...

Russia-Ukraine War: The Unfolding Burden on Africa

By Abu Jemimah LamiWhen Russia invaded Ukraine on...

KOSIEC Releases Timetable for 2026 Kogi Local Government Elections

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Independent...

Two in Five Girls in Kogi Suffer Sexual Abuse — NGO

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Executive Director of Protect the...

CP Kankarofi Assumes Duty in Kogi, Seeks Citizens’ Cooperation to Tackle Crime

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe new Commissioner of Police in...

Benue, Enugu Police Commands Strengthen Collaboration to Curb Interstate Crimes

By Isaac Kertyo, MakurdiThe Commissioners of Police in Benue...

Nigerian Government Receives 170 Citizenship Applications — Minister

By Francis Wilfred, AbujaThe Federal Government of Nigeria has...

New Kogi Police Commissioner, CP Kankarofi, Seeks Public Cooperation to Tackle Crime

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe newly appointed Commissioner of Police...

Hazras Charity Foundation Distributes Educational Kits to 1,000 Pupils in Kano and Jigawa

By Jabiru HassanThe Hazras Charity Foundation has successfully completed...

Football matches fixtures

Serie A18:30 CET CagliarivSassuolo 20:45 CET PisavLazioFriday 31 October 2025 Bundesliga...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img